Barcelona boss Flick urges caution against Alaves
Hansi Flick has urged caution ahead of Barcelona's LaLiga clash against lowly Alaves on Monday (AEDT).
Alaves, which is 17th and just a point above the relegation zone, has lost only once in six league games since new coach Eduardo Coudet took over in December.
Barca, meanwhile, has shaken off the wobbles in form that saw it relinquish its lead in LaLiga.
The Blaugrana are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and hammered Valencia 7-1 in their previous league outing.
Flick, though, is taking nothing for granted.
"We want to win. To do that, we will have to defend because we also want a clean sheet," Flick said.
"We have to be very cautious because in the last three games out of five they scored in the first 15 minutes.
"If you're five or 10 per cent below what you need to be, you can't win. Everyone is fighting to stay in LaLiga and that's why we have to make it clear from the start how good Barca are. That's what I always want."
Barca sits third in LaLiga, seven points adrift of leader Real Madrid.
"The situation is our fault. We have lost a lot of points," Flick said.
"We have to win games one after the other to put pressure on Madrid. With seven points it's not easy, but we will keep fighting."